Richard Kenneth Jenkins, 77, joined our Father in heaven on October 10, 2022. Rick was surrounded by family and friends on both sides of this journey.
Rick was born September 21, 1945, in Terre Haute to Howard “Dutch” Paul Jenkins and Mary Ellen Higgins Jenkins. Rick graduated from Honey Creek High School in 1963, then continued to Indiana State University earning his bachelor’s degree in education. He began teaching in Elkhart, IN, but he and his first wife, Jennifer, soon moved back to the community he loved. Upon returning to the area, he taught vocational education at Van Buren High School and began his journey as a builder, by creating Rick Jenkins Construction in 1968. Rick earned his master’s in education and left teaching to pursue construction full time in 1972. With the support and love of amazing mentors, he started his first major development, International Village in 1976. RJ Builders has continued growing the greater Terre Haute area through the developments of Richland Manor, Ole Erie, Hidden Court South, Dutch Acres, Ellen Woods, Fruitridge Park, North Pointe, The Flats, and Idle Creek Golf Community. He has passed on his knowledge of building and business to his family who will continue this legacy, in his honor, through hard work, determination, honesty, kindness and charity towards all.
Rick loved Terre Haute, Indiana State, and Vigo County. He was not only a businessman, but a community leader focused on growing this area. He was an active contributor to Indiana State, as a member of the Book and Torch Society and enjoyed watching the university grow and succeed in academics and athletics. As a young builder himself, he became active in the Home Builders Association of Greater Terre Haute. He held several positions, through local president in the Wabash Valley and is a past President at the state level. He developed friendships, across the state helping young builders with his wisdom and stories of both success and struggles. His involvement extended into many other areas where he was currently serving or a past member of the Honey Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Vigo County Redevelopment Commission, Vigo County Sherriff’s Merit Board, West Central Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Vigo County Board of Zoning Appeals, and President of the Honey Creek Conservancy District.
Beyond Rick’s professional contributions, he was a Christian, son, father, husband, teacher, friend, mentor, “papaw”, and servant. As a young father he made time to coach countless softball teams and to chauffer kids to/from church, school, or athletic events. His house was always full of young people. As he grew older, he continued to focus on mentoring friends, who became family, in faith, business, hard work, and education. He loved children and was known as “papaw” to many. Rick’s life was centered around his faith and love of our Lord Jesus. He grew up attending Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, where he helped it grow from a tiny country church to the beautiful house of worship it is today. He enjoyed mission trips to Haiti and found a way to fully utilize his servant’s heart when he became a part of the El Shaddai Emmaus Community. Rick met and touched many men, through the numerous walks he worked and found strength in doing whatever God asked of him. His family now attends Maryland Community Church, where he and Dayle have a renewed passion for the support of youth and the community through Fostering Hope.
Rick worked everyday and enjoyed time on the jobs, with the guys. He could also frequently be found in the restaurant spending time with his Dawg Leg and golf course family. He developed a passion for boating and when he was able to relax, he was taking trips from Kentucky to Florida with the boys or was learning to fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
He is survived by his wife Dayle Gossman Jenkins and children Stacy Baker (Ryan) Shelly Jenkins (Dana Lindley), Leslie Wetzel, Lisa Denham (Jim Palmer), and Ryan Denham; sisters Carol Denton (Gerry) and Nancy Jenkins; grandchildren: Brooklynn Harvey (Thomas), Hallie Baker, Madeline Kooistra, Nathan Lindley, Andrew Baker, Caroline Kooistra, Chandler Wetzel, Drew Lindley, Harrison Wetzel, Lucy Wetzel, and Kaeson Lindley; brother-in-laws Jeff Gummere, and Danny Gossman; sister-in-laws Debbie Seprodi (Don), Diane Cluett, and Donna Gummere; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Howard “Dutch” Jenkins; his mother Mary Ellen Jenkins; his mother-in-law Wanda Gossman; his brother Robert “Bob” Jenkins; his brother-in-law David Gossman; and his granddaughter Ryanne Denham- Baumgartner.
Visitation will be from 11 AM – 3 PM on Friday, October 14th, at Maryland Community Church, 4700 S. Highway 46, Terre Haute, IN 47802, with services at 3 PM. Scot Longyear will officiate. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Fostering Hope Fund
at Maryland Community Church. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Greiner Funeral Home.
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